About this sheet
Swedish and Norwegian Costumes – Peasants, Laplanders and Reindeer, c.1845
This engaging hand-colored lithograph, titled “Europe – Suède, Norwège,” is drawn from Le Monde en Estampes: Types et Costumes des Principaux Peuples de l’Univers, a Parisian publication issued circa 1845–1850 by Amédée Bedelet. The plate was drawn by Leloir, lithographed by J. Bocquin, and printed by Lemercier, whose atelier was among the most accomplished lithographic studios in 19th-century France. Accompanied by text by Élisabeth Müller, the series elegantly documents the traditional costumes and customs of peoples around the world.
This particular scene presents a delightful view of rural Scandinavian life. At the left, two paysans norvégiens (Norwegian peasants) converse outside a wooden farmhouse. The seated man, dressed in a dark blue jacket, gray breeches, and woolen socks, enjoys a drink from a mug while his companion, wearing a travel cloak and felt hat, stands beside a young woman offering a jug—her red jacket and blue apron adding warmth to the composition. The quiet intimacy of their meeting evokes the hospitality and rustic simplicity characteristic of Nordic village life.
In the background, the scene transitions into the snowy northern landscape, where a group of Lappons (Laplanders) lead reindeer pulling a traîneau (sled). The figures, wrapped in fur-lined garments, appear small against the vast, pale landscape of hills and pines—a beautiful contrast to the homely foreground. This juxtaposition of settled peasant life and nomadic northern culture reflects the geographic and cultural breadth of Scandinavia.
The lithograph captures the Romantic fascination with the North—its purity, endurance, and natural beauty—through detailed costume depiction and soft atmospheric shading. Each figure’s attire is rendered with precision: the Norwegians in sturdy woolens and caps, the Sami in heavier skins, all unified by the refined coloring and elegant tonal balance typical of Lemercier’s presswork.
As part of Le Monde en Estampes, this plate stands out for its quiet storytelling and ethnographic accuracy, offering a glimpse into daily life in mid-19th-century Scandinavia before industrialization altered its rural traditions.
Condition report: Excellent impression with rich hand-coloring and minimal foxing, mainly at the margins. Light toning consistent with age, image clean and fresh with full borders preserved.
Framing tips: A cream or pale blue-gray mat complements the Nordic palette beautifully. A light oak or maple frame enhances the rustic atmosphere, while a dark walnut frame adds elegant contrast to the snowy tones of the background.
